Four Versions of Compact: Mini-ITX System Cases Roundup. Page 9

Today we will talk about four miniature system cases from such well-known makers as Antec, Foxconn and InWin. We will not only check out the features and functionality of the cases, but will also perform a detailed test of the default power supply units that come with them.

InWin IW-BP659

Unlike the two previous products, we’ve never tested anything like the IW-BP659 before.

The IW-BP659 is very similar to the above-discussed Foxconn in dimensions.

The optical drive is not going to look like a matte smudge on the glossy front panel. There’s a decorative cover above the entire façade, including the front-panel connectors.

This model lacks a Reset button. The USB ports are too close to each other to be used simultaneously.

The cover is opened by pulling its edge. After you overcome the resistance of the magnet, it will smoothly open up by itself.

The top of this computer case is a single piece with one of the side panels. The metal is somewhat thicker than that of the Foxconn but not as thick as in the Antec.

There is a large vent decorated from the outside with a plastic grid. We can expect the CPU cooler to get enough fresh air from that vent irrespective of the position of the CPU socket on the mainboard.

The accessories are identical to those of the above-discussed InWin IW-BM643: power cord, mounting screws, self-adhesive rubber feet, and a leaflet with installation instructions.

With the cover removed, we can see a picture that resembles the above-discussed Foxconn. The PSU is traditionally located at the back panel, exhausting the hot air to the outside. The mounting plate of the optical drive can be detached. Of course, there are certain peculiarities. For example, the PSU is placed on the other side of the mainboard and thus does not interfere with expansion cards. The optical drive’s mounting plate is combined with a 3.5-inch bay and secured with screws, which is more reliable but less convenient than in the Foxconn case.

The inappropriate position of the exhaust fan must be noted. There’s a whole serpentarium of cables from the PSU and front-panel I/O connectors right behind it. Obviously, those cables are going to interfere with air flows.

Like the Foxconn, the InWin IW-BP659 doesn’t normally support 2.5-inch HDDs, so we had to secure our drive with a single screw only. We just wanted to use the same HDD for every computer case to put them under identical test conditions.

The HDD bay can take in two 3.5-inch drives but one of them must be a slim model with a thickness of 0.8 inches or less (like single-platter drives from Seagate).

The assembly process is as convenient as possible considering the modest size of the chassis. The cables are sufficiently long and every location is easily accessible.

Like in the Foxconn, the optical drive prevents you from using memory modules with tall heatsinks.

The exhaust 80x80x25mm fan is protected with a plastic grid so that the numerous cables didn’t get stuck in its blades.

The fan turned out to have a rather high speed of 2350 RPM. Having a standard thickness, it produces more noise than the slim fan of the IW-BM643 which works at a comparable speed. You may want to replace the default fan with something else if you want a quiet computer.

The assembled InWin IW-BP659 looks cute irrespective of its orientation. However, the InWin stickers and the words “Pull” on the door suggest the vertical one as preferable.

Highs:

Easy to assemble

Efficient cooling

Can accommodate two 3.5-inch HDDs

Excellent cooling of the CPU

Affordable pricing

Lows:

A lot of noise from the PSU fan as well as from the preinstalled exhaust fan

Placed amidst a heap of cables, the preinstalled fan doesn’t work at its best